Chlorine - Diaphragm to Membrane Technology Conversion

INEOS Technologies' FM1500™ electrolysers are ideal for converting chlor-alkali diaphragm plants to membrane technology.

Why change?

Diaphragm cells frequently require a high level of maintenance particularly in the recoating of anodes, and the remeshing of cathode boxes. The cost of changing to membrane electrolysers can be justified by the following: 

• Environmental and safety – FM1500™ membrane electrolysers eliminate the use of asbestos.
• Lower operating costs – FM1500™ technology uses less power to produce each tonne of chlorine. 
• Product quality – caustic soda produced by membrane technology contains much lower levels of sodium chloride, typically <50 ppm in 50% NaOH 
• Expansion – FM1500™ technology uses less floor space and has a lower voltage than the equivalent amount of diaphragm capacity. This allows expansion using the same floor space without modification to the electrical supply. More product for the same power  

Technology

INEOS Technologies has been a supplier of membrane technology for over 30 years and the FM1500™ represents the present state of the art in monopolar membrane electrolyser technology.

Conversion 

The FM1500™ has been used in many diaphragm cell conversion projects for the following reasons: 

• Size – the width of an FM1500™ electrolyser means that it can be used to directly replace one diaphragm cell or more 
• Electrical requirement – FM1500™ electrolysers are designed to operate comfortably with normal diaphragm plant room currents, enabling existing rectifiers to be used. 
• Ease of maintenance – FM1500™ electrolysers can easily be lifted in and out of a cellroom circuit using existing cranes. Also cell switches may be reused. 
• Low power consumption – FM1500™ electrolysers operate with low voltages and power usage. 
• Long lifetimes – FM1500™ electrolysers will run without maintenance for many years. 
• Technical support – INEOS Technologies' engineers are experienced in all aspects of diaphragm and FM1500™ operation. We can help plan a conversion project and specify the equipment necessary to enable a safe and efficient project.